Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Travel

VUMC Travel Advisory Updates – as of May 26, 2020

Effective May 26, 2020:

If you choose to travel internationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, be aware of the following:

US State Department Advisory Global Level 4: Do Not Travel remains in effect. Standing State Department guidance is as follows: “The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.” Read the full advisory here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html

Two Presidential Proclamations have been issued restricting entry/re-entry to the United States from certain countries (UK, Ireland, Schengen Area countries, China, Iran and Brazil). To understand how these proclamations may impact your entry/return to the US, read here:

An additional Presidential Proclamation has been issued restricting travel to the United States from the United Kingdom and Ireland (in addition to the European countries described in the March 11 Proclamation below). Please review the proclamation linked below and contact the VUMC COVID-19 hotline (888-312-0847) with questions or concerns.

As reported in the March 11 edition of the MyVUMC Newsletter, all VUMC-related business travel is prohibited.

This does not include travel between VUMC business locations.

Exceptions may only be granted by VUMC Executive Leadership.

Effective March 11, 2020:

A Presidential Proclamation has been issued restricting travel to the United States from specified countries. Please review the proclamation linked below and contact the VUMC COVID-19 hotline (888-312-0847) with questions or concerns.

The U.S. State Department is urging individuals to avoid all international travel regardless of location due to the coronavirus outbreak. The State Department has issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory for all travel outside of the United States.

The coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve and is prompting periodic travel advisory updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This “Information for Travel” can be reviewed in detail at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html. Guidance provided by the CDC informs VUMC’s efforts to keep all VUMC personnel aware of authoritative and current information.

Effective immediately and until further notice, all VUMC personnel are prohibited from VUMC travel to or through any country which is listed by the CDC as “Level 3” (currently China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy). The CDC will update this list from time to time and persons considering international travel must be familiar with current CDC advisories. In addition, VUMC personnel are strongly discouraged from personal travel to or through Level 3 areas.

For all other travel, the March 2 guidance provided below remains in effect. With the exceptions noted above, VUMC’s current stance is not to prohibit/restrict travel by VUMC employees but to ask that individuals exercise best judgment in deciding whether to travel. It is advisable to form this judgment by carefully weighing several important considerations.

Among these are:

Do the proposed plans include travel through or in areas of documented coronavirus cases?

What is the perceived likelihood that circumstances would develop to delay or prevent your scheduled return from the travel destination?

What would be the consequences of mandated quarantine?

If one were to become ill while away, would there be access to satisfactory medical care or the opportunity for evacuation to a location where care could be provided?

What expenses would be incurred by an undesired event while traveling?

Please be aware that the circumstances and facts related to coronavirus are fluid and evolving quickly. Because of this, VUMC’s stance on travel is subject to change as warranted.

Further updates to this travel advisory will be provided as indicated.

Effective March 2, 2020:

The United States has imposed travel restrictions and quarantines on individuals entering the United States from China and Iran. Read details of these restrictions in the Presidential Proclamation.

The U.S. State Department is urging individuals to avoid all travel to certain locations due to the novel coronavirus outbreak currently underway. The State Department has issued advisories at Level 4: Do not travelfor the following locations:

Italy (Lombardy and Veneto): See the Italy Travel Advisory for the full advisory.
Note that all other locations in Italy are under Level 3: Reconsider travel.

South Korea (Daegu): See the South Korea Travel Advisory for the full advisory.
Note that all other locations in South Korea are under Level 3: Reconsider travel.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Warning Level 3: Avoid nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea and a Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions in Japan. The CDC has established online resources with valuable information for travelers: